[C320-list] Yanmar starting problem

[Larry Frank]

Bob,

I experienced a similar problem with air in the fuel on WindSwept, A 320
with the Westerbeke.  My symptoms were different.  I would run the engine
for about one hour and then it would begin to surge and drop RPMs.  I
confirmed it was an air problem by replacing part of the fuel return line
back to the tank with clear tubing and I could see tiny air bubbles.  I
tried to solve this problem by fixing many things, none of them which
needed fixing.  I probably struggled with this for a year or more.  Even
my mechanic was at a loss.  Finally the problem mysteriously disappeared
when I replaced a leaking fuel tank. I am now convinced that the problem
was a leak in the top of the dip tube that  sucks the fuel from inside the
tank to the primary filter. I don¹t know how one could test this or
confirm this is the problem without removing it and somehow checking it.
I think the dip tube can be removed from the tank but am not sure.  This
may not be your issue but if you haven¹t given it consideration it might
be worth thinking about.

Larry
WindSwept
C320 #246

On 5/24/16, 5:48 AM, "Robert Dean" <robrtdean at yahoo.com> wrote:

>Brian
> Thanks for the reply.That is one of the things I did over the winter. I
>found the service advisory of Nov 2000 and I call Yanmar and talked to
>them about it. Yanmar was very good,they gave me a list of parts needed
>to eliminate the check valve from the system.
>Bob
>
>      From: Brian Borchers <slaintec320 at gmail.com>
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Sent: Monday, May 23, 2016 5:09 PM
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Yanmar starting problem
>   
>Bob,
>
>This was a very common problem with Yanmars produced in late 90¹s, I do
>not recall the exact time line.  However, there is a Service Bulletin
>posted not the Catalina 320 Association web page about the issue.  I had
>a similar problem and it was an easy fix once identified.  Hope this
>helps:
>
>
>2.  Yanmar Service Bulletin - Hard Starting
><http://www.catalina320.com/filemgmt/index.php?id=75>
>After sitting for a week or so my engine would crank for a long time
>before starting. The problem was getting a little worse each year. Mack
>Boring suggested that I make this modification to the fuel lines. Now the
>engine starts almost immediately. (Jeff Church)
>by Karl Mielenhausen
><http://www.catalina320.com/users.php?mode=profile&uid=709> on 10/14
>01:16PM - FileMgmt
><http://www.catalina320.com/search.php?query=yanmar+starting+&keyType=all&
>type=filemgmt&mode=search> - 332 Hits
>
>You will have to go to the web site and open the above link and download
>the PDF file from Mack Boring.
>
>Brian Borchers
>Slainte #609
>
>> On May 23, 2016, at 3:30 PM, Chris Burti <clburti at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Bob,
>> The "crush" washer in the upper bleed screw port, just before the
>>injectors
>> is made using a nickle alloy that is intended to be soft enough to form
>>a
>> seal when tightened. If it is over-tightened or if it has been replaced
>> with a stainless steel washer, it can cause the symptoms that you
>>describe.
>> It is cheap enough to try replacing it before pulling the injectors.
>> 
>> Fair winds,
>> Chris Burti,
>> Commitment, #867
>> Washington, NC
>> 
>> Chris Burti
>> Farmville, NC
>> 
>> 
>> On Mon, May 23, 2016 at 3:07 PM, Robert Dean <robrtdean at yahoo.com>
>>wrote:
>> 
>>> I have hull 550, it's a 1998 with a Yanmar 3GM30. Last fall it became
>>>hard
>>> to start after it sat for a few days. Once it started it ran a little
>>>rough
>>> for a minute or two than ran fine. After it ran it would start with
>>>just
>>> the touch of the starter button.If it sat for a few hours it would
>>>still
>>> start right up. It is getting air in the fuel lines some how.Over the
>>> winter I did away with the check valve on the fuel line at the injector
>>> pump per Yanmar service advisory 11-1-2000.  I replaced the Racor
>>>filter
>>> element and gaskets and the Yanmar filter element and o-ring. I
>>>replaced
>>> the fuel hose from the tank to the Racor  and from Racor to the lift
>>>pump,I
>>> also replaced the line that goes around the dipstick. I replace all the
>>> copper seals.Everything is new from the fuel tank to injector pump,but
>>>I
>>> still have the same problem. I had a mechanic look at it,he couldn't
>>>find
>>> any leaks. The mechanic did say it might be an injector leaking.
>>>Before I
>>> go to the expense of replacing injectors, I thought  I would ask if
>>>anyone
>>> else had this problem.
>>> Bob DeanJust Chillin 550Worton Creek
>>> 
>
>
>